Lifting harness and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

The lifting harness includes a base strap and a pair of shoulder straps releasably attached to a base strap. Each shoulder strap includes a shoulder engaging portion and a plurality of arm loops for receiving the arms of a user. The base strap is an oval, elliptical, or other elongated loop having a pair of buckles or the like for adjusting the circumference of the loop, and a pair of parallel cross straps extending across the loop and slidable along the loop to adjust the position of each cross strap, each cross strap having a buckle to adjust the length of the cross strap. In use, a heavy load is mounted on the base strap and each shoulder strap is placed around the neck and over the shoulders of the users, and a pair of arm loops receiving the forearms of the user. Further, each shoulder strap further terminates at either end in an adjustable releasable loop, allowing for one or more shoulder straps to be used as carrying harnesses without the need for a base strap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates devices for the moving, cargo transport, and storage industries, and particularly to a lifting harness and a method for using the harness for lifting and carrying furniture, furnishings, and other loads.

2. Description of the Related Art

A multitude of devices are available for moving furniture, cargo, boxes and other heavy loads often encountered in the fields of moving and transportation. Transportation of heavy loads is often accomplished through the use of dollies, carts, hand trucks and the like. These devices, however, often provide only transportation, and the cargo must still be lifted onto them, which can cause great physical strain on the users. Further, such devices are generally not adaptable to cargo of varying sizes; i.e., a dolly may be useful for moving boxes, but it cannot transport a large piece of furniture. Similarly, it would be inefficient to transport a large cart to a moving site and only use the cart to transport small boxes.

Various manual lifting devices worn or held by a user have been utilized to aid the user in lifting heavy cargo. However, such devices are generally hung from a single point of the user's body, such as a strap or belt worn about the user's neck or attached only to the user's arms or waist. Applying the entire force of the cargo's weight to a single point on the user's body may be harmful and can cause severe injuries to the user. It would be preferable to provide a lifting device that distributes the weight of the cargo over various points of the user's body, in order to reduce the possibility of injury. Thus, a lifting harness and method of using the same solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The lifting harness includes a base strap and a pair of shoulder straps releasably attached to the base strap spaced apart by 180°. Each shoulder strap includes a shoulder engaging portion and a plurality of arm loops for receiving the arms of a user. The base strap is an oval, elliptical, or other elongated loop having a pair of buckles or the like for adjusting the circumference of the loop, and a pair of parallel cross straps extending across the loop and slidable along the loop to adjust the position of each cross strap, each cross strap having a buckle to adjust the length of the cross strap. In use, a heavy load is mounted on the base strap and each shoulder strap is worn by the user, with the shoulder engaging portion mounted on a user's shoulders and a pair of arm loops receiving the forearms of the user. The force of the load's weight is supported by the arms, the upper back and the shoulders of both users, thus minimizing the possibility of strain and injury.

Alternatively, one of the shoulder straps may be detached from the base strap, and the single shoulder strap may be used as an adjustable belt for lifting smaller loads, requiring the lifting power of a single user. One end of the shoulder strap forms a loop, and the free end is received through the looped end to form the adjustable belt. The belt is tightened around the load, and the free end is supported by the user. The user may mount the free end over his or her shoulder, if necessary. Also, a rod or stick may be provided for reception by one of the arm loops in order to releasably lock the arm loop in position with respect to the remainder of the adjustable belt, thus securing the load.

Further, a pair of shoulder straps may be joined together to form an alternative base strap. A second pair of shoulder straps are releasably attached to the alternative base strap, with the load being mounted on the alternative base strap. One or more shoulder straps may be used on their own to lift a load, wrapping the shoulder strap or shoulder straps about the load and securing the straps to the load. Each shoulder strap includes an adjustable-length releasable loop at either end, which may further be secured to or about loads.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a lifting harness according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lifting harness of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lifting harness of the present invention, illustrating detachment of a pair of shoulder straps from a base strap.

FIG. 4A illustrates a first method step of using an alternative lifting harness according to the present invention formed from one of the shoulder straps.

FIG. 4B illustrates a second method step of using the alternative lifting harness of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C illustrates a third method step of using the alternative lifting harness of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D illustrates a fourth method step of using the alternative lifting harness of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4E illustrates a fifth method step of using the alternative lifting harness of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative base strap of the lifting harness of the present invention formed from a pair of interlocked shoulder straps.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another alternative base strap of the lifting harness of the present invention formed from a pair of interlocked shoulder straps.

FIG. 7 is an environmental, perspective view of an alternative configuration of the lifting harness of the present invention utilizing a pair of shoulder straps.

FIG. 8 is an environmental, perspective view of another alternative configuration of the lifting harness of the present invention utilizing a looped shoulder strap.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative configuration of the lifting harness of the present invention utilizing a single shoulder strap to carry a load.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a lifting harness 10, which allows a pair of users to easily lift a heavy load 12, such as a box, crate or article of furniture. The lifting harness 10 includes a base strap 14 and a pair of shoulder straps 16, which are releasably attached to the base strap 14. Base strap 14 and shoulder straps 16 are made of any suitable flexible material. In a preferred embodiment, the base strap 14 and shoulder straps 16 are formed of nylon, such as nylon webbing straps.

As best shown in FIG. 2, each shoulder strap 16 includes a shoulder-engaging portion 24 and a pair of side portions, which form a plurality of arm loops 18. In use, as shown in FIG. 1, when worn by the user, the shoulder engaging portion 24 is looped around the user's neck so that the load is supported by the user's shoulders and upper back, and the arm loops 18 receive the user's arms. Although each shoulder strap 16 is shown as having a total of eight arm loops 18 in the drawings, it should be understood that this is for exemplary purposes only, and each shoulder strap 16 may include as many arm loops 18 as may be desired by the user. The arm loops 18 are provided in pairs on shoulder strap 16, in order to accommodate each of the user's arms.

The user may select which of arm loops 18 to utilize, depending on the size and shape of the user's arms and body. In the preferred embodiment, when worn, arm loops 18 engage the users' forearms, allowing the users to support load 12 with their forearms while leaving the users' hands free to provide additional support and stability for load 12. However, the user may position arm loops 18 on any suitable portion of the user's arm, depending on comfort and the further needs and desires of the user. It should be noted that the choice of arm loop 18, and the selectable positioning of the arm loop 18 on the arm of the user, is further dependent upon the size and shape of the load to be carried.

As shown in FIG. 3, each shoulder strap 16 has a pair of free ends 26, which terminate in connector elements 32 and 34. As shown, each free end 26 may terminate in a socket receptacle 34, with a connector strap 35 having one end affixed to the free end 26 above the socket 34 in pigtail fashion (alternatively the free end may be bifurcated) and having a multi-prong plug 32 attached to the opposite end, the plug 32 releasably mating with the socket receptacle to form a loop at the free end 26 of the shoulder strap 16. In the drawings, connector elements 32 and 34 are shown as male and female plug and socket connectors, respectively. However, it should be understood that connector elements 32, 34 may be any suitable releasable locking connectors. It should be noted that connector elements 32, 34 may be adjustable connectors or may include adjustable elements, such as buckles, allowing each end of one of shoulder straps 16 to be formed into a releasable loop having an adjustable circumference.

As shown in FIG. 2, each set of male and female connector elements 32, 34 is releasably locked together to form releasable loops 30, which receive base strap 14, releasably securing shoulder straps 16 to base strap 14. Releasable loops 30 slide along the base strap to allow for the movable positioning of each end 26 of shoulder straps 16 on base strap 14.

Each shoulder strap 16 further includes an adjustable buckle 42, allowing for the selective adjustment of the length of the shoulder strap 16. Depending on the size and shape of the user, each shoulder strap 16 may be adjusted for optimal comfort and stability. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base strap 14 includes a pair of adjustable buckles 20, allowing the circumference of base strap 14 to be adjusted, depending upon the dimensions of load 12.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, base strap 14 is an oval, elliptical or other strap forming an elongated loop provided with a pair of cross straps 22 for providing enhanced support and stability for load 12. Each cross strap 22 includes a pair of opposed ends that form loops 28, which receive base strap 14. Loops 28 allow for the attachment of cross straps 22 to base strap 14 and further provide for the adjustable positioning of cross straps 22 with respect to base strap 14. Each cross strap 22 also includes a buckle 20, allowing for the adjustable length of cross straps 22, depending on the size and shape of load 12. Though the circumference of base strap 14 and the lengths of cross straps 22 are adjustable, in the preferred embodiment, the base strap 14 has a maximum circumference of approximately twenty-four feet, and each cross strap 22 has a maximum length of approximately four feet.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in use, shoulder straps 16 are connected to base strap 14 through the use of releasable loops 30. The circumference of base strap 14 and the length of cross straps 22 are adjusted, dependent upon the size and shape of load 12. Load 12 is positioned on base strap 14 and cross straps 22, and each user places a respective one of shoulder straps 16 around the neck and over the shoulders. The length of each shoulder strap 16 may be adjusted, through use of adjustable buckle 42, dependent upon the size and shape of the user's body.

Shoulder engaging portions 24 are mounted on the users' shoulders, and the users insert their arms into respective pairs of arm loops 18. As shown in FIG. 1, load 12 is supported by base strap 14 and the primary lifting force is provided by the engagement of the users' arms with arm loops 18. The users' hands are free to provide additional support and stability to load 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D, each individual shoulder strap 16 may be used as an alternative lifting harness for lifting smaller loads 40, requiring the lifting strength of only one user. Small load 40 may be a stack of bricks, a small box, a stack of cushions or any other load not requiring the pair of users illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in order to utilize a single shoulder strap 16 as a lifting harness, one adjacent pair of male and female connectors 32, 34 are connected to form releasable loop 30, providing shoulder strap 16 with one looped end 38 and one free end 36. As shown in FIG. 4B, free end 36 is received by, and projects through, looped end 38 to form an adjustable belt having an adjustable loop portion for receiving load 40.

As illustrated in FIG. 4C, load 40 is received within the adjustable loop portion of shoulder strap 16 and the strap 16 is tightened around load 40. The user may then lift load 40 by grasping free end 36, and free end 36 may be supported on the user's shoulder or back, if necessary or desirable.

Optionally, a stick or rod 44 may further secure shoulder strap 16 about load 40. As shown in FIG. 4D, one of arm loops 18 is pulled through releasable loop 30. In order to firmly secure shoulder strap 16 about load 40, the user may pull as many of arm loops 18 through releasable loop 30 as necessary. The arm loop 18 adjacent to releasable loop 30 is held in place by stick or rod 44, which is received through arm loop 18 and prevents the adjacent arm loop 18 from passing back through releasable loop 30, as shown.

Once the load 40 has been secured within shoulder strap 16, the load 40 may then be carried by the user, as illustrated in FIG. 4E. The user positions the strap 16 over the user's shoulder and carries the load 40 on his or her back. The user may secure his or her forearm through one of the free arm loops 18, as shown.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair of shoulder straps 16 are joined together to form an alternative base strap. The male and female connectors 32, 34 of opposed ends of one shoulder strap 16 are joined together to form the shoulder strap 16 into a continuous closed loop, and one the free ends 26 of the other shoulder strap 16 is pulled through the loop and secured to the opposite free end 26 so that the two shoulder straps 16 form two loops linked together in a figure-eight or lemniscate-type (infinity symbol) shape, as shown. This configuration may be used as an alternative to base strap 14, shown in FIG. 2, and a separate pair of shoulder straps 16 may be releasably connected to the alternative base strap.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative configuration, similar to FIG. 5. As shown, the ends of a single strap 16 are first crossed before the fasteners 32 and 34 of the opposed straps 16 are joined. This configuration will also result in a figure-eight type shape for use as a base strap.

Alternatively, a pair of shoulder straps 16 may be used on their own to lift a load 12, as shown in FIG. 7. In this alternative embodiment, each shoulder strap 16 is worn over one of the user's shoulders to secure load 12 to the user's back. This configuration is similar to a backpack. The pair of shoulder straps 16 may be joined across the user's chest through engagement of respective interlocking elements 32 and 34.

A single shoulder strap 16 may also be used for the transportation of a load, as shown in FIG. 8. If load 12 has an irregular shape, such as that shown in FIG. 8, allowing shoulder strap 16 to be looped through or around part of the load 12, the user may then grasp the free end of shoulder strap 16, engage one of arm loops 18, and drag or lift the load 12. FIG. 9 offers an alternative configuration to the lifting of a load via a single shoulder strap 16. Looped ends 38 of shoulder strap 18 are well adapted for carrying loose loads, such as loose rods 13. Looped ends 38 secure the loose rods 13 and the shoulder strap 16 may then be worn by the user to carry the load to the destination. As noted above, connector elements 32, 34 may be adjustable, allowing the looped ends of each shoulder strap 16 to be formed as releasable loops having an adjustable circumference. Once looped ends 38 receive the load, they may be adjustably fastened about the load by the user, for secure transportation of the load to the destination. For heavy or long loads requiring two users to lift the load, a pair of shoulder straps 16 could be fixed to load 13 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 9. It should be understood that shoulder straps 16 may be applied to any load without the use of a corresponding base strap; shoulder straps 16 may be connected together, as described above, or used on their own, fixed to loads in a wide variety of manners.

It should be understood that shoulder straps 16 may be used with the provided base strap 14, may be used one their own, or a single shoulder strap 16 may be utilized to lift a load. As described in the examples above, a pair of shoulder straps 16 may be interconnected to act as a base strap or, in the alternative, shoulder straps 16 may be interconnected, positioned beneath a load to be lifted, and used together as a lifting harness. A wide variety of combinations of interconnections between the pair of shoulders straps 16 and base strap 14 are possible for providing a lifting harness; the selective detachable nature of shoulder straps 16 with respect to base strap 14 provides for great versatility in applying the lifting harness 10 to a wide variety of loads having varying shapes and sizes.

The lifting harness 10 is adaptable for the lifting and transportation of a wide variety of different cargo items, including, but not limited to, furniture, boxes, plants, mattresses and other heavy loads. In order to decrease the risk of injury to the users, the weight of the load is supported over multiple points of the users' bodies. Primarily, lifting harness 10 allows the users to support the load with the combination of the users' arms, shoulders and backs, rather than applying the entire force to only a single region of each user's body, which could cause severe injuries to the users.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A lifting harness, comprising: a base strap forming a continuous loop; and a pair of shoulder straps releasably attached to the base strap 180° apart, each of the shoulder straps having a shoulder-engaging portion and a pair of side portions extending therefrom, each said side portion having at least one arm loop for releasably receiving an arm of a user; whereby the base strap is adapted to receive a load positioned on the base strap and the shoulder straps are adapted for being looped around the necks and over the shoulders of a pair users positioned on opposite sides of the load.
 2. The lifting harness as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one cross strap extending across the base strap loop, the cross strap having opposed ends attached to said base strap for supporting the load.
 3. The lifting harness as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the ends of said at least one cross strap defines a loop for receiving said base strap, whereby said cross strap is movable on said base strap to adjust arc size defined by said cross strap.
 4. The lifting harness as recited in claim 3, wherein said at least one cross strap further comprises means for adjusting cross strap length.
 5. The lifting harness as recited in claim 1, wherein: said base strap further comprises means for adjusting the length of the circumference of the loop; and each of said shoulder straps further comprises means for adjusting shoulder strap length.
 6. The lifting harness as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said shoulder straps has opposing lower ends extending from the side portions, the lifting harness further comprising: a first releasable fastener attached to each of the lower ends; a connector strap extending from each of the lower ends; and a second releasable fastener attached to the connector strap, the second releasable fastener mating with the first releasable fastener to form a loop around said base strap, thereby movably attaching the lower ends of said shoulder straps to said base strap.
 7. A method of lifting a load, comprising the steps of: providing a set of straps; selecting at least one strap of said set of straps for lifting a load; supporting the load on said at least one strap; positioning a portion of said at least one strap over a shoulder of a user; and lifting said load.
 8. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 7, further including the step of forming a loop in said at least one strap for receiving said load.
 9. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 8, wherein said step of supporting the load further comprises the step of tightening said loop about said load.
 10. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 7, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a base strap from the set of straps.
 11. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 10, wherein said step of supporting the load further comprises the step of placing the load on said base strap.
 12. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 11, wherein said step of selecting at least one strap further includes the step of selecting a pair of shoulder straps.
 13. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of releasably securing said pair of shoulder straps to said base strap.
 14. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 7, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting a plurality of shoulder straps from the set of straps.
 15. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 14, further including the step of joining said plurality of shoulder straps to each other to form a base strap.
 16. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 15, wherein the step of supporting the load further comprises the step of placing the load on said mounting base.
 17. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 16, wherein said step of selecting at least one strap further includes the step of selecting another pair of shoulder straps.
 18. The method of lifting a load as recited in claim 17, further comprising the step of releasably securing said another pair of shoulder straps to said base strap. 